Combination ski-boot holder and torque indicator



P. ISAAC COMBINATION SKI-BOOT HOLDER AND TORQUE INDICATOR Original Filed July 10, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HIS ATTORNEY P. ISAAC Dec. 2-1, 1965 COMBINATION SKI-BOOT HOLDER AND TORQUE INDICATOR Original Filed July 10, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m T N E V W.

HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,224,261 COMBINATION SKI-BOOT HOLDER AND TORQUE INDICATUR Peter Isaac, 9 Crown Hill Place, Apt. 410, Toronto 18, Ontario, Canada Continuation of application Ser. No. 122,532, July 10, 1961. This application Feb. 17, .1965, Ser. No. 438,169 16 Claims. (Cl. 73133) This patent application is a continuation of a patent application entitled, Combination Ski-Boot Holder and Torque Indicators, bearing Serial Number 122,882, filed July 10, 1961, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a combination ski-boot holder and torque indicator, an object being to provide a device of the character herewithin described by means of which a pair of ski-boots of any size may conveniently be held, the soles kept flat and the boots carried, combined with means whereby the torque may be measured or gauged between a boot and a ski in terms of an applied force tending to separate the boot from the ski by either a horizontal twisting motion about the heel of the boot or a vertical rotary motion about the toe of the boot.

A further object is to provide a device of the character herewithin described by means of which a considerable range of above mentioned torque may be measured due to the variation of leverage possible as will hereinafter be explained.

A further object is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is of conspicuously simple, positively acting, compact, inexpensive and attractive construction such as will be salable to skiers at a reasonable price. With the foregoing objects in view, and such others as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the present invention consists in the following construction and arrangement of parts, all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective representation of my combination ski-boot holder and torque indicator.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of my device in situ for measuring horizontal torque at the toe of a ski-boot about the heel thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal View of my device in situ as for measuring the vertical torque at the heel of a skiboot about the toe thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a representation of my device as employed for the purpose of holding a pair of ski-boots.

I In the drawings like characters of reference designate similar parts in the several figures.

At the outset I declare that I am not the inventor of an elongated structure having a handle upon one end thereof and clips at the other ends and upon opposite sides for the securing of a pair of ski-boots via the welt of the sole and heel in the manner schematically depicted in the accompanying FIGURE 4. I only claim to be the inventor of the broad concept of combining such a device with a torque indicator. Accordingly, one presently preferred combination of such an indicator with such a ski-boot holder will now be described.

First, however, it is desirable to indicate what presently constitutes a ski-boot holder for securing boots in the manner of the accompanying FIGURE 4. Generally such may be said to comprise a supporting structure 1 in the form of an elongated plate, or frame made of tubular components, but generally without a central elongated aperturev2, a handle 3 secured directly to one end of the supporting structure, .a pair of heel clamps of the form generally designated 4 projecting upon either side of the supporting structure, but without the novel projecting portion 3,224,261 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 ice or element 5, and adjustable toe-clamps are generally designated 6.

Inventively combined with structure of the general form just stated is my torque indicator comprising load moving means collectively designated 7, device setting means collectively designated 8, effort applying means collectively designated 9, and indicating means collectively des ignated 10.

My load moving means as applicable beneath the heel 11 of a ski-boot 12 comprising the aforesaid projecting element 5. As applied to application against the edge of a ski-boot sole 13 at the toe thereof 14, my load moving means comprise the rotatable element 15 normally nested Within the thickness of structure 1 and conveniently swung outwardly by the fingers in virtue of the recess 16.

Element 15 is conveniently shaped as will clearly be discerned from the accompanying FIGURES 1 and 2 to engage the toe in the manner aforesaid. From the foregoing it will be observed that my load moving means can properly be said to reside at one corner of the supporting structure.

My device setting means 8 reside at the adjacent corner of the supporting structure 1. They consist of an off-set bracket portion 17 supporting a journal and stub-shaft collectively designated 18 from which projects rotatably as best depicted in the accompanying FIGURE 1, a skitraversing stirrup 19. This stirrup is designed to extend underneath ski 20 so that the abutment or shoulder 21 engages the edge 22 of the ski. Stirrup 19 is only employed for torque-testing at the toe of boot 12. In the heel testing position of the accompanying FIGURE 3, the stirrup is swung up into vertical position illustrated in the accompanying FIGURES 1 and 3.

The open center 2 of structure 1 is preferably longitudinally grooved as at 23 to receive snugly and slidably the tongued side edges 24 of the rectangular torque hearing 25 which is accommodated within the opening 2. Bearing 25 together with the flexible rod 26 together constitute my aforesaid effort-applying means 9, although handle 3 may incidentally be regarded as a part thereof if desired.

Also secured to bearing 25 adjacent and in overlapping relationship with respect to rod 26 is a pointer 27 the end 28 of which is preferably right-angulated and designed to overlie the two indicia-bearing surfaces 29 and 30 of arcuate scale 31. Pointer 27 and scale 31 together constitute my indicating means 10 aforesaid.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that my effortapplying means collectively designated 9 and indicating means collectively designated 10 may be moved longitudinally with respect to structure 1 to vary the leverage applied upon my load moving means collectively designated 5 either in the heel or toe torque-testing position. In the closed position, arcuate scale 31 conforms to the end surface 32 of structure 1 and the relationship of parts in the closed position is preferably such that scale 31 will slide against surface 32 rotatably in full surface contact. Also it will be noted that in this position means 9 and 10 are locked to structure 1 by means of the rightanglcd 'bracket 33 engageable with notch 34 in the central position of rod 26 with respect to slot 2.

It will be apparent that when means 9 and 10 are pulled outwardly to their full extent as indicated in the accompanying FIGURE 3, considerable elfort may be applied and considerably more resistance indicated on scale 31 than is possible in the closed position. Hence it will be noted that on each of the surfaces 29 and 30 two sets of indicia 35 and 36 are included. Indicia 35 are read in the extended position and 36 in the retracted position as indicated by the abbreviation of these words in the accompanying FIGURE 1. The provision of indicia upon both faces 29 and 30 is also for the purpose of convenient reading if desired by the user with his foot in the boot 12. In testing for horizontal torque at the toe he will read the indicia on surface 29, and, generally, for testing vertical torque at the heel he will use the indicia on surface 30. As he does so, he can effect adjustments in the harness collectively designated 37 at the locus of adjustment 38 thereof (or according to the many types of harness available). Such adjustment, as is well known has for its purpose the variation of resistance to twisting at which boot and ski part. However, the poundage is not indicated on the harness adjusting means. Consequently, the user has to guess, with the liability to guess or estimate wrongly on the basis of twisting his foot slowly in the boot, kicking the boot sideways and/or lifting the heel of the boot. Such procedures are entirely unreliable. With my arrangements, it is possible to set the harness to release at a known torque to suit persons of varying age, weight, and skiing ability, having regard for medical'data on the strength of bones.

Various modifications may readily be made to the invention as described and the manner in which it is used. For instance, the load moving means are shown rotatably mounted. These could, of course, be slidably mounted within the frame of the supporting structure 1. Furthermore, although the load moving means 15 are shown as engaging the toe of the boot, these means may be designed such that they may be used to apply a torque about the heel of the boot as in FIG. 2 without the use of the device setting means 19. This only requires that the load moving means 15 be shaped to engage the boot either from within or without in a way that a torque may be applied to the boot.

Although FIG. 3 indicates that the load moving means 5 are applied from behind the heel of the boot it will be evident that these means may be applied from beside the heel. In that case, the device may rest on any flat object the upper surface of which is approximately level with the upper surface of the ski. The above procedure is used with bindings using a mechanical heel release unit mounted on the ski behind the heel of the boot, thereby preventing engagement of the heel in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

Since various other modifications can be made in the invention hereinbefore described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and numerous variations made thereto all within the spirit and scope of the invention without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that the said description and drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense, and that only such limitations should be placed upon my invention as are specifically contained in the definition thereof as expressed in the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A device comprising the combination with a holder for at least one ski-boot, of means for indicating the torque between a boot and ski harnessed thereto, said device including a substantially fiat supporting structure against which a ski boot may be secured with retaining clamps, load moving means applicable against said boot when harnessed to a ski for rotating said boot relative to said ski, device setting means bearable against said ski, both said load moving means and said device setting means being secured to one and the same end of said supporting structure, effort applying means for exerting torque through the agency of said load moving means about an axis located approximately upon the heel of said boot and perpendicular to the sole thereof, said effort applying means being connected to said supporting structure and projecting from the end opposite said one end, and indicating means on said device co-acting with said effort applying means for indicating said torque upon actuation of said effort applying means.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said indicating means comprise a pointer and a scale on one end of said effort applying means, said scale being movable p st the distal end of said pointer, said pointer being secured to said device at a location remote from said scale.

3. The device of claim 2 which includes longitudinal guideways in said supporting structure, a torque bearing slidable therein, said effort applying means including said torque bearing.

4. The device of claim 3 in which said effort applying means include a flexible rod, and in which said pointer and rod are connected to said torque bearing.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said scale is secured to the end of said rod opposite to the end which is connected to said torque bearing.

6. The device of claim 3 which includes means for positioning said effort applying means along the length of said supporting structure.

7. The device of claim 3 in which said load moving means comprise at least one projecting element connected to a corner of said supporting structure and which said device setting means are connected to the adjacent come of said supporting structure.

8. The device of claim 1, in which said effort applying means include a spring member, movement of which is resisted by said supporting structure up to the setting of the associated ski harness.

9. The device of claim 8 in which said spring member is in the form of a rod.

10. The device of claim 1 in which said effort applying means include a torque bearing and a spring rod projecting therefrom, means for sliding said effort applying means along the length of said supporting structure via said torque bearing, said spring rod being parallel with the longitudinal axis of said supporting structure, said indicating means comprising a pointer parallel with said rod and connected to said torque bearing, and a scale at the distal end of said rod.

11. The device of claim 1 in which said load moving means comprise at least one projecting element connected to a corner of said supporting structure and in which said device setting means comprise a ski-traversing stirrup connected to the adjacent corner of said supporting structure.

12. The device of claim 1 which includes additional load moving means adjacent said first mentioned load moving means insertable between the heel of said boot and said ski for exerting torque substantially about the toe of said boot, said indicating means also indicating said last mentioned torque upon actuation of said effort applying means.

13. A device comprising the combination with a holder for at least one ski boot, of means for indicating the torque 'between a boot and a ski harnessed thereto, said device comprising a substantially flat supporting structure against which a ski boot may be secured via clamps on said supporting structure, load moving means projecting from said supporting structure and applicable against said boot when harnessed to a ski, and device setting means bearable against said ski, both said lead moving means and said device setting means being secured to one and the same end of said supporting structure, effort applying means for exerting torque through the agency of said load moving means and said device setting means, said effort applying means being connected to said supporting structure and projecting therefrom, and indicating means on said device co-acting with said effort applying means for indicating said torque upon actuation of said effort applying means.

14. The device of claim 13 in which said indicating means comprise a pointer and a scale at one end of said effort applying means, said scale being movable past the distal end of said pointer, said pointer being secured to said device at a location remote from said scale.

15. A device comprising the combination with a holder for at least one ski boot, of means for indicating the torque between a boot and ski harnessed thereto substantially about the toes of said boot, said device including a substantially flat supporting structure against which a ski boot may be secured via clamps on said supporting structure, load moving means attached to and projecting from one end of said supporting structure and insertable between the heel of said boot and said ski, said load moving means exerting a vertical rotary levering effort, the fulcrum of which bears against the upper surface of said ski or on an object near said ski, said fulcrum being the end of said supporting structure to which said load moving means are attached, effort applying means for exerting torque through the agency of said load moving means, said effort applying means being connected to said device and projecting therefrom, and indicating means on said device co-acting with said efiort applying means for indicating said torque upon actuation of said eifort applying means.

16. A device for indicating the torque between a boot and a ski harnessed thereto, comprising in combination,

load moving means applicable against said boot when harnessed to a ski for rotating said boot relative to said ski, device setting means in structural association with said load moving means and bearable against said ski, efiort applying means for exerting torque through the agency of said load moving means and said device setting means about an axis located approximately upon the heel of said boot and perpendicular to the sole thereof, and indicating means on said device co-acting with said effort applying means for indicating said torque upon actuation of said effort applying means, said effort applying means being longitudinally extensible with respect to said device.

No references cited.

RICHARD C QUEISSER, Primary Examiner. C. A. RUEHL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE COMPRISING THE COMBINATION WITH A HOLDER FOR AT LEAST ONE SKI-BOOT, OF MEANS FOR INDICATING THE TORQUE BETWEEN A BOOT AND SKI HARNESSED THERETO, SAID DEVICE INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AGAINST WHICH A SKI BOOT MAY BE SECURED WITH RETAINING CLAMPS, LOAD MOVING MEANS APPLICABLE AGAINST SAID BOOT WHEN HARNESSED TO A SKI FOR ROTATING SAID BOOT RELATIVE TO SAID SKI, DEVICE SETTING MEANS BEARABLE AGAINST SAID SKI, BOTH SAID LOAD MOVING MEANS AND SAID DEVICE SETTING MEANS BEING SECURED TO ONE AND THE SAME END OF SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, EFFORT APPLYING MEANS FOR EXERTING TORQUE THROUGH THE AGENCY OF SAID LOAD MOVING MEANS ABOUT AN AXIS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY UPON THE HEEL OF SAID BOOT AND PERPENDICULAR TO THE SOLE THEREOF, SAID EFFORT APPLYING MEANS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND PROJECTING FROM THE END OPPOSITE SAID ONE END, AND INDICATING MEANS ON SAID DEVICE CO-ACTING WITH SAID EFFORT APPLYING MEANS FOR INDICATING SAID TORQUE UPON ACTUATION OF SAID EFFORT APPLYING MEANS. 